NICOLA STURGEON has gone a scathing attack on Boris Johnson’s “do or die” Brexit pledge and has accelerated plans to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence.

The First Minister of Scotland in a letter to the new Prime Minister, has stated it is now “essential” the people of Scotland have an “alternative option” to Britain leaving the EU with or without a deal on October 31. The SNP leader urged Mr Johnson, who last night dismantled Theresa May’s Government and assembled a Brexiteer dominated Cabinet, to “change course immediately” in order to avoid inflicting “lasting harm to the people of Scotland”. Ms Sturgeon said: “I urge you to study this analysis closely so that you understand the implications for Scotland of the policy you are pursuing on Brexit and why it is therefore imperative that you change course immediately to avoid causing lasting harm to the people of Scotland.

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“However, given your public comments about leaving the EU on 31 October with or without a deal, ‘come what may’ and ‘do or die’, it is now - more than ever - essential that in Scotland we have an alternative option.”

She added: “In line with the democratic mandate given to us in 2016, the Scottish government will continue to make preparations to give people in Scotland the choice of becoming an independent country.”

Ms Sturgeon has already indicated IndyRef2 could take place in the second half of 2020, with the Scottish Government having published a Referendums Bill in April.

In his speech outside Downing Street, Mr Johnson outlined his vision to “unite” Britain and work together as an “awesome foursome”.

Mr Johnson said: “It is time we unleashed the productive power not just of London and the South East, but of every corner of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

“The awesome foursome that are incarnated in that red, white, and blue flag - who together are so much more than the sum of their parts, and whose brand and political personality is admired and even loved around the world.”

Boris Johnson made his debut at the dispatch box (Image: PA)

Ian Blackford warned Mr Johnson he may be the last PM of the UK (Image: PA)

In the House of Commons, SNP Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, warned Mr Johnson he could be the “last Prime Minister of the UK”.

Mr Blackford said a no deal Brexit would result in 100,000 job losses and income falling by £1,600 per person.

However in his maiden speech at the dispatch box, Mr Johnson dismissed the scaremongering and fired back a warning at the SNP’s political future.

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The Prime Minister, who has already voiced his opposition to another Scottish referendum, questioned the future of the SNP if Scotland reaped the rewards of leaving the EU.

Mr Johnson said: “If we can deliver a fantastic, sensible and progressive Brexit, which I believe we can, and the whole United Kingdom comes out, as I know that it will, what happens then to the arguments of the Scottish National Party?

“Will they seriously continue to say Scotland must join the euro? Will they seriously suggest that Scotland must submit to the entire panoply of EU law?”